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TORONTO: Organising the first-ever Diwali celebrations in collaboration with the Canada-India Foundation at the city hall here on Wednesday, Toronto mayor John Tory praised the contribution of the Indo-Canadians to the city and Canada.
“It is my great pleasure to host all of you here at Toronto’s city hall. This is one of the city’s first Diwali celebrations here. I want to thank you my co-host, the Canada-India Foundation,’’ the mayor said.
He said, “Diwali, the festival of lights, is a reaffirmation of hope, a shared commitment to friendship and goodwill…it is wonderful to be celebrating here with you at city hall.’’
The mayor recalled the discrimination faced by the first immigrants and how they have now become an important part of Canadian society.
Tory said he would like to use the occasion of Diwali to thank the Indo-Canadian community for “your contribution to the success of our great city.”
The mayor said, “Across Toronto, Canada and the globe, everyday you are making a valuable contribution to many different fields, just take a look around this room, bringing the best your culture to all endevours and strengthening our bonds of friendship and commerce.”
Praising the Indo-Canadian community, Tory said, “Each of you should be proud of what you have collectively come to represent: commitment to your community, love for humanity, strength of family. I have seen this first hand – even as recently as last Thursday at the BAPS Mandir in Etobicoke where thousands gathered for Diwali and also through many of the city’s gurdwaras, temples and mandirs I have been lucky to have been welcomed.”
The mayor said that over the years many trade mission from Toronto have gone to India to promote this city. He said he is now looking forward to his own mission to India. “I believe it is vitally important that Toronto has stronger profile in India to entice businesses looking to expand overseas , to come to Toronto and use the city as a base for their their larger North American efforts.’’
Tory thanked the Canada-India Foundation for pushing the free Canada-India trade agreement and encouraging Indo-Canadians to help in public policy development.
Canada-India Foundation chairman Ajit Someshwar narrated the importance of Diwali in Indian culture to the mayor and the audience.
He praised Toronto and Canada for welcoming people from all parts of the world. “India has been welcoming people from outside for thousands of years,’’ he said.
The Canada-India Foundation chief also proposed the idea of Toronto-Pune sister city relationship.
“Pune and Toronto have a lot in common. Both are auto centres. Both are education centres and both are IT hubs. I mooted the idea with the mayor on behalf of the Canada-India Foundation and he has welcomed it,’’ said foundation chairman.
The city hall celebrations began with performances by Gurpreet Channa and Srinithi Raghavan.
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